Cures Not Treatments

The Problem

Why Cures Are Not Prioritized

While pharmaceutical innovation has led to remarkable advancements in treating diseases, the development of outright cures often takes a backseat. This isn't due to a lack of scientific potential, but rather a consequence of the current economic incentives that govern the industry. Understanding this dynamic is crucial to recognizing the urgent need for the change that Cures Not Treatments advocates for.

"Ninety percent of the nation's $4.5 trillion in annual health care expenditures are for people with chronic and mental health conditions." , Fast Facts: Health and Economic Costs of Chronic Conditions | Chronic Disease | CDC

Money Talks

In a market-driven system, pharmaceutical companies, like any other business, must consider their financial sustainability. Currently, the continuous management of chronic diseases through ongoing treatments can be significantly more profitable than a one-time cure. A patient requiring daily or regular medication for the remainder of their life generates consistent revenue, whereas a cure, ideally administered once, ends that revenue stream. This inherent economic structure can inadvertently disincentivize investment in research and development focused on eradicating diseases. Big Pharma controls distribution in the United States. When private, not-for-profit research does result in a cure it is difficult for the organization behind the cure to distribute it. You won't find curative medications at your local pharmacy.

A Better Path

The focus on treatments often means that individuals living with chronic conditions face a lifetime of managing their illness. This can involve daily medication regimens, frequent doctor visits, potential side effects, and a diminished quality of life. As we saw with Lisa's battle with diabetes, treatments can slow progression and manage symptoms, but they don't always prevent devastating complications like amputations and blindness. The emotional, physical, and financial toll on patients and their families can be immense. Cures Not Treatments believes a better path is possible.

While individual treatments can be costly, the cumulative expense of managing chronic diseases across a population places a significant burden on the healthcare system as a whole. Insurance companies, government programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and ultimately taxpayers bear these escalating costs year after year. Investing in cures, even with a higher initial cost, has the potential to generate substantial long-term savings by reducing the need for prolonged and expensive treatments – a key argument of Cures Not Treatments.

A key part of the problem lies in the way cures are currently valued and compensated. The system often lacks a mechanism to adequately reward pharmaceutical companies for the immense long-term value a cure provides – both in terms of improved patient lives and reduced healthcare costs. Without a clear pathway for appropriate reimbursement that reflects this long-term benefit, the financial incentive to pursue cures remains limited. Cures Not Treatments aims to change this.

By implementing innovative legislative solutions that properly value and compensate curative therapies, we can realign incentives and encourage pharmaceutical companies to prioritize the development of lasting solutions. This is the core of the approach advocated by Cures Not Treatments, which we will detail on the "Our Solution" page.